Art Gallery of Hamilton admission is free thanks to anonymous donation
As part of the gallery's 'Hamilton Strong' initiative to support health and well-being, admission is free thanks to an anonymous donation.
'Hamilton Strong is about standing in solidarity with our fellow Hamiltonians, who have supported us throughout our 110-plus years,' said Shelley Falconer, CEO and president of the Art Gallery of Hamilton, in a news release.
The donation came as a result of a conversation around the uncertainty and political anxiety of today, Falconer told The Spectator. She said the regular donor — who wants to remain anonymous — used attending the gallery to assuage those concerns. Falconer wouldn't provide the amount of the donation.
'The point they were making was that they always feel so amazing when they visit the gallery, see the shows and see the collection; and what if (they) could make that available to everyone?' said Falconer.
Members of the gallery will receive an automatic two-month extension to their membership. Anyone who purchases a year-long membership during the free months of July and August will receive an extra two months.
The gallery is more than 80,000 square feet and features exhibits from the Group of Seven, Tom Thomson, Alex Colville, Emily Carr and Norval Morrisseau.
Canadian impressionist Helen McNicoll's work from a private collection is also on display. The exhibition originated from Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec in Quebec City and has been adapted by the Art Gallery of Hamilton.
'It's the third-largest collection in the province of Ontario, so it's a substantial collection and it's an important collection. It's one of the top five in the country,' Falconer said.
Despite holding more than 10,000 works of art, the gallery does so without the space to display their entire collection, which is why they're eyeing a 48,000-square-foot expansion.
The project is estimated to cost $90 million
and includes more gallery space to host its permanent collection and a new exhibition area to present local history.
This donation comes weeks after city councillors
delayed the gallery's $1.5-million funding increase with a 9-5 vote
and pushed their decision to July 9. The funding increase is to ensure services for the remainder of the year.
While Falconer thinks the funding delay could have contributed to the donation, she said the donor also supports the wellness programs and idea of using art to heal.
'There's a lot of the social prescribing that's going on today where physicians prescribe patients arts and cultural experiences,' said Falconer.
'This is a donor who also understands the power of art to lift us, to transform. That experiencing art and experiencing a cultural experience is powerful.'
Démar Grant is a reporter at The Hamilton Spectator.
dgrant@thespec.com
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